Chasing the future: Nationwide, Truck series full of talent

Since we are enjoying our last off-weekend of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, it seems appropriate to me with the Cup cars quiet, that we take a look at some of the exciting rising talent in our other two touring divisions. The NASCAR Nationwide Series runs Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway while the Camping World Truck Series runs next Wednesday night at Eldora.

Probably the brightest young star we’ve seen this season in the Nationwide Series has to be Chase Elliott. There’s a classic example of the old cliche, "the apple doesn’t far from the tree," considering that Chase is the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott. Chase really is like his father in so many ways.

I’ve also talked to the guys who work with Chase or have worked with him leading into his Nationwide Series career. They say he has the uncanny ability to adapt to the toughest racetracks and the toughest race situations, and not panic. They also say he gives great feedback and communicates really well. His future is very bright in the sport of NASCAR for many years to come.

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When you look in the Camping World Truck Series, German Quiroga is one of those talents that has already caught my eye this season. He’s struggled the last couple of years, but it seems like this season every thing has clicked into place and he has hit his stride.

While Matt Crafton is the series points leader, German finds himself in fourth spot after nine races, and only 19 points back. So he’s making some noise in the Truck Series and it makes you already start to wonder if he has a future moving up the NASCAR ranks.

So those are the two drivers from both series who have really jumped out at me and gotten my attention so far this year. The best part is the future of our sport looks very solid and very promising. There is some great talent in the pipeline and it will be fun to watch them grow and develop.